If you’re considering a used 2022 Volvo XC40 Recharge, reliability is probably high on your list. On paper it’s a safe, well‑equipped premium EV with solid owner satisfaction scores, but real‑world reports also point to software glitches and a serious brake‑related recall you can’t ignore. Let’s break down what’s actually going on so you can shop with your eyes open.
Big picture
Overview: How reliable is the 2022 XC40 Recharge?
2022 XC40 Recharge reliability snapshot
Owner feedback for the 2022 XC40 Recharge is polarized. Many drivers report a quiet, comfortable, trouble‑free EV experience. Others have dealt with repeated electrical or infotainment problems, and a smaller group has run into more serious drive‑system faults. Statistically, the model doesn’t look like a disaster, but it’s not a “set it and forget it” Toyota either. As a used buy, it rewards careful inspection and a bit of due diligence around software history and recall work.
Strengths: Where the XC40 Recharge does well
Reliability positives for the 2022 XC40 Recharge
These are the areas where owners tend to be happiest.
Solid core hardware
Strong safety engineering
Daily‑driver comfort
When they’re sorted, they’re loved
Common 2022 XC40 Recharge issues to watch for
Because the XC40 Recharge is based on a relatively new EV platform and early Android Automotive software, most reliability complaints cluster around electronics. Here are the issues you’re most likely to run into on a 2022 model.
- Infotainment reboots and lockups: Multiple owners report the center screen randomly restarting, freezing on a loading screen, or getting stuck in a guest profile until the system is fully rebooted. In some early cars this happened weekly; software updates help but don’t always cure it.
- AC/heat malfunctions: There are reports of the air‑conditioning compressor failing or the system blowing the wrong temperature air. In some cases, parts were back‑ordered for months, leaving owners in limbo.
- “Propulsion system” or “power reduced” warnings: A smaller group of owners have seen drive‑system error messages that limit power or prevent DC fast charging until the car is restarted or inspected by a dealer.
- Charging glitches, especially DC fast charging: Stopped sessions, reduced charge rates, and station compatibility issues show up in owner stories. Some of this is the charger’s fault, but enough reports mention the XC40 itself throwing errors to treat it as a vehicle‑side concern.
- Random warning lights & sensor errors: Owners mention sporadic SOS errors, parking sensor false alarms, and collision‑mitigation interventions when nothing is in front of the vehicle. These are unnerving even when they don’t signal a true failure.
Why this matters for used buyers
Brake recall and safety updates
In 2025, Volvo and U.S. regulators issued an urgent brake warning and recall covering several plug‑in and battery‑electric models, including the 2023–2024 XC40 Recharge. Under specific conditions, extended downhill coasting in one‑pedal or “B” mode with no pedal input, those vehicles could temporarily lose hydraulic braking until software was updated. Owners of unrepaired cars were told not to drive them until the fix was installed.
Where the 2022 fits in
Brake‑system checks before you buy
1. Run a VIN recall check
Use the NHTSA recall lookup or contact a Volvo dealer to confirm there are <strong>no open safety recalls</strong> on the specific 2022 XC40 Recharge you’re looking at.
2. Confirm software is current
Ask the seller for documentation that all <strong>brake and driver‑assistance system software updates</strong> are installed. If they don’t know, plan on a dealer visit soon after purchase.
3. Test one‑pedal & regular braking
On your test drive, try both one‑pedal driving and normal braking on a quiet road. Pedal feel should be consistent, with no warning lights, noises, or delayed response.
4. Inspect pads, rotors, and fluid
EVs use regenerative braking heavily, but the physical brakes still age. Have a technician check pad thickness, rotor condition, and brake fluid age, especially on higher‑mileage 2022s.
Battery health and range over time
On day one, the 2022 XC40 Recharge carried an EPA‑rated range of around 223 miles, depending on wheel and trim choice. Real‑world range varies with temperature, speed, and driving style, but most owners report performance broadly in line with expectations for a dual‑motor compact SUV, roughly 180–220 miles per charge in mixed driving.
- Degradation so far looks modest: Three to four years in, many XC40 Recharge owners report only a small drop in usable range, assuming normal mileage and regular DC fast‑charging use rather than abuse.
- Thermal management is a plus: Volvo’s liquid‑cooled pack tends to be gentler on long‑term health than air‑cooled systems used in some earlier EVs.
- Cold‑weather penalties are real: Like most EVs, the XC40 Recharge can lose a substantial amount of range in winter driving, especially on short trips. That’s not a reliability defect, but it is something to understand before you buy.
Battery confidence with a used XC40 Recharge
Software and infotainment reliability
If the XC40 Recharge has an Achilles’ heel, it’s software. The 2022 model runs Google’s Android Automotive OS for navigation and media, tied deeply into vehicle functions. When it works, it’s slick and intuitive. When it misbehaves, you can lose your backup camera view, climate controls, navigation, or audio until the system reboots.
Typical complaints
- Random reboots of the center screen, sometimes multiple times on a single trip.
- System stuck in a loading loop or guest profile until a hard reset.
- Backup camera or 360° cameras show “temporarily unavailable.”
- Streaming apps or Google Maps crashing mid‑drive.
What usually helps
- Installing the latest over‑the‑air software updates and patches.
- Performing a full infotainment reset when bugs start to cluster.
- Having the dealer check for technical service bulletins (TSBs) related to the IHU (infotainment head unit) or connectivity modules.
- Verifying strong cellular reception for map and app stability.
Why software matters more than you think
Maintenance costs and warranty coverage
One upside of the XC40 Recharge is that EVs eliminate many traditional maintenance items, no oil changes, spark plugs, or transmission services. But this is still a premium European vehicle, and when something does go wrong, parts and labor aren’t cheap.
2022 Volvo XC40 Recharge factory warranty summary
Approximate coverage that originally came with 2022 models in the U.S. (confirm remaining coverage by VIN and in‑service date).
| Coverage type | Term | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Basic (bumper‑to‑bumper) | 4 years / 50,000 miles | Most non‑wear items: electronics, interior hardware, many driver‑assistance components. |
| Powertrain / EV components | 4 years / 50,000 miles | Electric motors, gearbox, and related driveline hardware. |
| High‑voltage battery | 8 years / 100,000 miles | Battery pack defects and excessive capacity loss, subject to Volvo’s terms. |
| Rust perforation | 12 years / unlimited miles | Corrosion that causes body panels to perforate from the inside out. |
| Roadside assistance | 4 years / unlimited miles | Towing, flat tire help, and certain lockout services from in‑service date. |
Volvo’s EV warranties are competitive, especially for the high‑voltage battery.
By 2026, most 2022 examples will be near the end of their basic warranty, but the battery warranty should still have several years left. Out‑of‑warranty repairs, especially infotainment hardware, HVAC components, or advanced safety sensors, can be pricey, so factor that into your budget if you’re buying from a private seller or a non‑Volvo lot.
How to protect yourself on costs
How the 2022 XC40 Recharge compares to other used EVs
Reliability is always relative, so it helps to view the 2022 XC40 Recharge alongside its peers: compact electric crossovers like the Tesla Model Y, Hyundai Kona Electric, Kia Niro EV, and Volkswagen ID.4.
2022 XC40 Recharge vs. similar used EVs
A reliability‑focused, high‑level comparison.
Versus Tesla Model Y
Versus Kona Electric / Niro EV
Versus VW ID.4
Where the Volvo stands out
Pre‑purchase checklist for a used 2022 XC40 Recharge
If you’re leaning toward a 2022 XC40 Recharge, a little homework up front can mean years of hassle‑free driving. Use this checklist to separate the solid examples from the headaches.
Used 2022 XC40 Recharge reliability checklist
1. Verify recall and software status
Run the VIN through a recall lookup tool and ask for service records. Confirm that <strong>all safety recalls and recommended software updates</strong> have been completed, especially anything touching the brakes, cameras, or infotainment system.
2. Test all electronics thoroughly
Spend time with the car in park cycling through <strong>climate controls, cameras, parking sensors, audio, Bluetooth, and Google Maps</strong>. Look for lag, error messages, or screen reboots.
3. Inspect charging behavior
On your test drive, plug into at least a Level 2 charger and watch for errors or extremely slow charge rates. If possible, review the owner’s history of DC fast‑charging and any past charging faults.
4. Check for water leaks and odors
A few owners of various EVs, including Volvos, have reported leaks around antennas or seals. Examine carpets and headliner for signs of moisture or mildew that could accelerate electrical problems.
5. Review battery health data
Ask for <strong>state‑of‑health (SoH) data</strong> from a dealer or third‑party EV diagnostic tool. At Recharged, this is baked into our Recharged Score so you can compare vehicles apples‑to‑apples.
6. Evaluate dealer access
Because many XC40 Recharge issues are software‑related, <strong>easy access to a cooperative Volvo dealer</strong> matters. If the nearest dealer is hours away or unwilling to service off‑brand used cars promptly, that’s a reliability risk in itself.
FAQ: 2022 Volvo XC40 Recharge reliability
Frequently asked questions about 2022 XC40 Recharge reliability
Bottom line: Is a used 2022 XC40 Recharge a good bet?
Viewed purely through a reliability lens, the 2022 Volvo XC40 Recharge isn’t a horror story, but it’s not a bulletproof Corolla either. The underlying EV hardware and battery pack look solid so far, and Volvo’s safety engineering is genuinely world‑class. Where this model stumbles is software maturity and occasional electronic gremlins that can sour the experience if they’re not addressed.
For the right buyer, someone who wants a safe, upscale compact EV, lives within easy reach of a Volvo service department, and is willing to be diligent about software updates, the 2022 XC40 Recharge can be a very satisfying used purchase, especially at today’s softened EV prices. And if you’d rather not gamble on what prior owners did or didn’t maintain, shopping through Recharged means every XC40 Recharge includes a Recharged Score battery‑health report, transparent pricing, and EV‑specialist guidance from your first click to delivery.
